Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons

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The Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons (DANAS) is a multivolume work published by Naval Historical Center of the U.S. Department of the Navy's Naval History & Heritage Command. It covers naval aviation in much the same way as the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANFS) covers commissioned vessels.

Contents

Two volumes have been published to date: Volume 1, covering the history of attack and strike fighter squadrons, and Volume 2, covering the history of patrol squadrons. Other volumes are forthcoming.

The squadron histories are quite detailed, typically including sections on lineage, insignia and nickname, chronology of significant events, home port assignments, commanding officers, aircraft assigned, major overseas deployments, airwing assignments, and unit awards received.

DANAS volumes are available online and as PDF files on CD-ROM.

Publication data

Volume 1 (1995) includes about 140 histories and other data covering every squadron in the attack (VA, VAH, VAK, VAL, and VAP) and strike fighter (VFA) communities from the time the first of these commands was established in 1934, through the publication of this volume in 1995. There are seven appendixes, including such things as technical information and drawings for aircraft assigned to the squadrons covered, carrier deployments by year, and lineage listings for the squadrons. A glossary, bibliography, and index are also included. The information was compiled by Roy A. Grossnick, the head of the Naval Historical Center's Naval Aviation History Office. [1]

Volume 2 (2000) contains 154 histories covering every patrol squadron (VP, VPB, VP(H) and, VP(AM)) in existence between 1922 and 2000. Fourteen appendixes cover technical information on patrol aircraft, submarines sunk by patrol squadrons, air-to-air claims for Navy and Marine Corps patrol aircraft during World War II, a listing of patrol squadron shore bases, etc. A glossary, bibliography, and index are also included. [2]

This book provides an opportunity to learn about the origins, achievements, and traditions of patrol aviation as it relates to the naval heritage of the United States. It was written by a professional historian and retired Navy Captain Michael D. Roberts. [2]

Subsequent volumes in the series will cover other components of U.S. naval aviation. In 2000, the staff of the History & Heritage Command's Aviation History Branch was in the early stages of work on Volume 3, containing the histories and lineage of all U.S. Navy fighter squadrons. [2]

Reference use

Because the DANAS is a work of the U.S. government, its content is in the public domain, and the text is often quoted verbatim in other works.

See also

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">VA-44 (U.S. Navy)</span> Military unit

Attack Squadron 44 (VA-44) was an attack squadron of the United States Navy. Originally established as Bombing Squadron VB-75 on 1 June 1945 it was redesignated Attack Squadron VA-3B on 15 November 1946, redesignated VA-44 on 1 September 1948 and disestablished on 8 June 1950. A second VA-44 was in service from 1 September 1950 until disestablishment on 1 May 1970.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VP-24</span> Military unit

Patrol Squadron 24 (VP-24) was a Patrol Squadron of the U.S. Navy. The squadron was established as Bombing Squadron One Hundred Four (VB-104) on 10 April 1943, redesignated as Patrol Bombing Squadron One Hundred Four (VPB-104) on 1 October 1944, redesignated as Patrol Squadron One Hundred Four (VP-104) on 15 May 1946, redesignated Heavy Patrol Squadron (Landplane) Four (VP-HL-4) on 15 November 1946, redesignated Patrol Squadron Twenty Four (VP-24) on 1 September 1948, the third squadron to be assigned the VP-24 designation, redesignated Attack Mining Squadron Thirteen (VA-HM-13) on 1 July 1956, redesignated Patrol Squadron Twenty Four (VP-24) on 1 July 1959 and disestablished 30 April 1995.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VA-106 (U.S. Navy)</span> Military unit

VA-106 was an Attack Squadron of the U.S. Navy. Originally established as Bomber-Fighter Squadron Seventeen (VBF-17) on 2 January 1945, it was redesignated Fighter Squadron Six B (VF-6B) on 15 November 1946, redesignated VF-62 on 28 July 1948, redesignated Attack Squadron 106 (VA-106) on 1 July 1955, it was disestablished on 7 November 1969. It was the second US Navy squadron to be designated VA-106.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VA-23 (U.S. Navy)</span> Military unit

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">VP-17</span> Military unit

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">VAP-62</span> Military unit

VAP-62 was a Heavy Photographic Squadron of the U.S. Navy. Originally established as Photographic Squadron Sixty-Two (VJ-62) on 10 April 1952, it was redesignated as Heavy Photographic Squadron (VAP-62) on 2 July 1956. The squadron was disestablished on 15 October 1969.

VAL-4 was a Light Attack Squadron of the U.S. Navy. Established on January 3, 1969, it was disestablished on April 10, 1972.

VP-48 was a Patrol Squadron of the U.S. Navy. It was established as VP-208 on 15 December 1942, redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron VPB-208 on 1 October 1944, redesignated VP-208 on 15 May 1946, redesignated Medium Patrol Squadron (Seaplane) VP-MS-8 on 15 November 1946, redesignated VP-48 on 1 September 1948 and disestablished on 31 December 1949. It was the first squadron to be assigned the VP-48 designation. A second VP-48 was established in May 1946 and disestablished on 23 May 1991.

VP-3 was a Patrol Squadron of the U.S. Navy. The squadron was established as Patrol Squadron 16-F (VP-16F) on 2 January 1937, redesignated Patrol Squadron 16 (VP-16) on 1 October 1937, redesignated Patrol Squadron 41 (VP-41) on 1 July 1939, redesignated Bombing Squadron 136 (VB-136) on 1 March 1943, redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron 136 (VPB-136) on 1 October 1944, redesignated Patrol Squadron 136 (VP-136) on 15 May 1946, redesignated Medium Patrol Squadron (landplane) 3 (VP-ML-3) on 15 November 1946, redesignated Patrol Squadron 3 (VP-3) on 1 September 1948, and was disestablished on 1 November 1955. It was the second squadron to be designated VP-3, the first VP-3 was redesignated VP-32 on 1 July 1939.

VP-41 was a Patrol Squadron of the U.S. Navy. The squadron was established as Patrol Squadron 21 (VP-21) on 1 March 1944, redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron 21 (VPB-21) on 1 October 1944, redesignated Patrol Squadron 21 (VP-21) on 15 May 1946, redesignated Medium Patrol Squadron (Seaplane) 11 (VP-MS-11) on 15 November 1946, redesignated Patrol Squadron 41 (VP-41) on 1 September 1948 and disestablished on 23 April 1949.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VPB-15</span> Military unit

VPB-15 was a Patrol Bombing Squadron of the U.S. Navy. The squadron was established as Patrol Squadron 15 (VP-15) on 15 March 1943, redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron 15 (VPB-15) on 1 October 1944 and disestablished on 23 November 1945.

VPB-17 was a Patrol Bombing Squadron of the U.S. Navy. The squadron was established as Patrol Squadron 17 (VP-17) on 3 January 1944, redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron 17 (VPB-17) on 1 October 1944 and disestablished on 30 January 1946.

VPB-44 was a Patrol Bombing Squadron of the U.S. Navy. The squadron was established as Patrol Squadron 44 (VP-44) on 3 June 1941, redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron 44 (VPB-44) on 1 October 1944 and disestablished on 20 June 1945.

References

This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons .

  1. Grossnick, Roy A. (1995). Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons, Volume 1: The History of VA, VAH, VAK, VAL, VAP and VFA Squadrons. Washington, D.C.: Naval Historical Center, Department of the Navy. Retrieved 2015-02-22.
  2. 1 2 3 Roberts, Michael D. (2000). Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons, Volume 2: The History of VP, VPB, VP(H) and VP(AM) Squadrons. Washington, D.C.: Naval Historical Center, Department of the Navy. Retrieved 2015-01-22.
These are links to PDF files that are shorter and more manageable subsets of the complete volume:
Table of Contents of DANAS Volume 1, with links to PDF files of individual chapters, appendixes and sections
Title page, About the Author, Contents, Foreword, Preface and Acknowledgements
Chapter 1 The Evolution of Aircraft Class and Squadron Designation Systems
Chapter 2 Attack Squadron Histories for VA-1E to VA-23
Chapter 2 Attack Squadron Histories for VA-34 to VA-38
Chapter 2 Attack Squadron Histories for VA-42 to VA-52
Chapter 2 Attack Squadron Histories for VA-54 to VA-56
Chapter 2 Attack Squadron Histories for VA-64 to VA-75
Chapter 2 Attack Squadron Histories for VA-76 to VA-104
Chapter 2 Attack Squadron Histories for VA-105 to VA-122
Chapter 2 Attack Squadron Histories for VA-125 to VA-153
Chapter 2 Attack Squadron Histories for VA-154 to VA-174
Chapter 2 Attack Squadron Histories for VA-175 to VA-209
Chapter 2 Attack Squadron Histories for VA-210 to VA-873
Chapter 3 Heavy Attack Squadron Histories (VAH) VAH-8 to VAH-123
Chapter 4 Tactical Aerial Refueling Squadron Histories (VAK) VAK-208 to VAK-308
Chapter 5 Light Attack Squadron History (VAL)
Chapter 6 Heavy Photographic Squadron Histories (VAP) VAP-61 to VAP-62
Chapter 7 Strike Fighter Squadron Histories for VFA-15 to VFA-81
Chapter 7 Strike Fighter Squadron Histories for VFA-82 to VFA-106
Chapter 7 Strike Fighter Squadron Histories for VFA-113 to VFA-147
Chapter 7 Strike Fighter Squadron Histories for VFA-151 to VFA-195
Chapter 7 Strike Fighter Squadron Histories for VFA-203 to VFA-305
Appendix 1 Aircraft Data-Technical Information and Drawings, A-3 to AM
Appendix 1 Aircraft Data-Technical Information and Drawings, BG to F9F (F-9)
Appendix 1 Aircraft Data-Technical Information and Drawings, F/A-18 to TC-4C
Appendix 2 Aircraft Carrier Listing for CV, CVB, CVA, CVAN, CVN, CVL, and CVE Designations
Appendix 3 Carrier Deployments by Year (1946 to 1990)
Appendix 4 U.S. Navy Squadron Designations and Abbreviations
Appendix 5 How to Trace Squadron Lineage
Appendix 6 Lineage Listing for VA, VA(AW), VAH, VA(HM), VAK, VAL, VAP, and VFA Designated Squadrons
Appendix 7 Types of Aircraft Listed in the Squadron Histories
These are links to PDF files that are shorter and more manageable subsets of the complete volume:
Table of Contents of DANAS Volume 2, with links to PDF files of individual chapters, appendixes and sections
Title page, About the Author, Contents, Foreword, Preface and Acknowledgements
Chapter 1 Origins of Navy Patrol Aviation, 1911 to 1920s
Chapter 2 Guidelines for Navy Aviation Squadron Lineage and Insignia
Chapter 3 Patrol Squadron (VP) Histories (1st VP-1 to 2nd VP-4)
Chapter 3 Patrol Squadron (VP) Histories (2nd VP-5 to 2nd VP-8)
Chapter 3 Patrol Squadron (VP) Histories (2nd VP-9 to 3rd VP-17)
Chapter 3 Patrol Squadron (VP) Histories (3rd VP-18 to 1st VP-22)
Chapter 3 Patrol Squadron (VP) Histories (3rd VP-22 to 3rd VP-25)
Chapter 3 Patrol Squadron (VP) Histories(2nd VP-26 to 1st VP-29)
Chapter 3 Patrol Squadron (VP) Histories (2nd VP-29 to 1st VP-40)
Chapter 3 Patrol Squadron (VP) Histories (2nd VP-40 to 3rd VP-45)
Chapter 3 Patrol Squadron (VP) Histories (VP-46 to 2nd VP-48)
Chapter 3 Patrol Squadron (VP) Histories (VP-49 to 3rd VP-61)
Chapter 3 Patrol Squadron (VP) Histories (1st VP-62 to VP-90)
Chapter 3 Patrol Squadron (VP) Histories (2nd VP-91 to VP-133)
Chapter 3 Patrol Squadron (VP) Histories (VP-142 to VP-153)
Chapter 4 Patrol Bombing Squadron (VPB) Histories (VPB-1 to VPB-16)
Chapter 4 Patrol Bombing Squadron (VPB) Histories (VPB-17 to VPB-29)
Chapter 4 Patrol Bombing Squadron (VPB) Histories (VPB-33 to VPB-54)
Chapter 4 Patrol Bombing Squadron (VPB) Histories (VPB-61 to VPB-103)
Chapter 4 Patrol Bombing Squadron (VPB) Histories (VPB-105 to VPB-118)
Chapter 4 Patrol Bombing Squadron (VPB) Histories (VPB-121 to VPB-141)
Chapter 4 Patrol Bombing Squadron (VPB) Histories (VPB-145 to VPB-203)
Chapter 4 Patrol Bombing Squadron (VPB) Histories (VPB-206 to VPB-216)
Chapter 5 Heavy Patrol Squadrons (Landplane) (VP-HL) Histories
Chapter 6 Amphibian Patrol Squadrons (VP-AM) Histories
Appendix 1: Aircraft Data—Technical Information and Drawings – (DT to P3M1/2)
Appendix 1: Aircraft Data—Technical Information and Drawings – (P4M Mercator to PV-2 Harpoon)
Appendix 2: A Summary of Patrol Aircraft Ordnance Equipment
Appendix 3: Submarines Sunk by Patrol Aircraft During World War II
Appendix 4: Air to Air Claims and Credits for Navy and Marine Corps Patrol Type Aircraft During World War II
Appendix 5: Seaplane Tender Listings
Appendix 6: Patrol Squadron Shore Establishments
Appendix 7: Lineage Listings for VP, VB, VPB, VP(HL), VP(ML), VP(MS), and VP(AM) Squadrons
Appendix 8: Listing of Reserve VP Squadrons, February 1946 to January 1968
Appendix 9: Medal of Honor Recipients for Patrol Aviation
Appendix 10: Patrol Squadron Korean War Deployments
Appendix 11: Patrol Squadron Vietnam Deployments (1964-1972)
Appendix 12: Patrol Squadron Persian Gulf Deployments (1990-1991)
Appendix 13: Organization and Deployment of Patrol Wings (Fleet Air Wings) 1918-Present
Appendix 14: Reserve Patrol Squadron Call-Ups in the Post-WWII Period
Glossary
Bibliography
Index of Patrol Squadron Histories and Aircraft Data